The US Virgin Islands Department of Health says there are currently no confirmed cases of hantavirus in the United States Virgin Islands and that the risk to residents and visitors remains very low.

In a statement issued this week, the department said it continues to monitor developments involving recent hantavirus activity reported outside the territory through updates from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), federal health partners and international public health agencies.

Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion sought to reassure the public, stating there was currently no threat to the territory.

“There is no evidence of community transmission in the Territory, and the rodents associated with the current outbreak have not been identified in the United States or the US Virgin Islands,” Encarnacion said.

Hantavirus is a rare disease typically spread through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings or saliva. 

According to the CDC, the overall risk to the public remains low.

Despite the absence of confirmed cases locally, the department said it has strengthened infectious disease preparedness efforts in coordination with hospitals, Emergency Medical Services, territorial laboratories and federal health partners.

Officials said the measures form part of ongoing year-round preparedness activities aimed at ensuring the territory can respond quickly should a suspected case emerge.

The department added that preparedness efforts include healthcare coordination, infection prevention planning, public health monitoring and training exercises.

Residents were also encouraged to continue practising routine rodent prevention measures, including sealing openings in homes, storing food properly and safely cleaning areas where rodents may be present.

The department said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates if necessary.